Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Trap Tightens

Zhang Yu’s heart pounded fiercely.

He hurried to the side courtyard and pulled Han Long, who was doing push-ups inside, up to his feet. Without pause, the two rushed toward the main gate of the Cai residence.

“Uncle Cai, may I borrow your carriage and horses for a moment?”

“Of course, young master. But may I ask what urgent matter calls you back in such haste? If it’s nothing too serious, a word to this old servant would suffice—I could then inform the head of the household, lest—”

Just as Uncle Cai was speaking, a carriage pulled up right before the Cai estate, and a figure leapt out from within. It was Xiahou Lan!

“Zi Ruo, what are you doing here?”

Zhang Yu hurried forward in three quick strides.

“Lan has something to tell you, young master. Where are you heading?”

“Just looking for you!”

Turning back, Zhang Yu bowed to Uncle Cai, then the three of them quickly boarded the carriage.

“Speak, what is it?”

“This is how it went. After I returned from the Middle Gentleman’s residence that day, I saw that the Situ mansion was bustling with activity…”

Zhang Yu’s unease deepened.

“Although you were not at the residence that night, you were bound to return eventually, so I kept a close watch nearby.”

“As night fell, someone arrived…”

“Someone came.”

Zhang Yu didn’t ask who, for from Xiahou Lan’s expression, he knew it had to be that person.

“Yes, he rode that famed Red Hare—a horse finer than even Xiao Bai, the best I’ve ever seen in my life—”

“Better than Xiao Bai? Red Hare… that name sounds familiar,” Han Long remarked.

“He was clad in light silver shoulder armor and embroidered robes, wearing golden boots embroidered with tiger heads. Several subordinates followed him, carrying a long painted halberd,” Xiahou Lan glanced at Han Long and continued, “Young master, he is—”

“I know.”

“Who?”

“Lü Bu.”

“Lü Bu? The one who single-handedly fought Lord Xuande and his two companions?” Han Long’s eyes widened.

“Yes,” Xiahou Lan nodded softly, while Zhang Yu remained silent, his mind slowly unfolding a long, vivid scroll.

“You say you protect Xiu’er with all your heart, making things difficult for me. Since you, Yulang, are so steadfast, then let us pause this chain of schemes for now.”

…

“May I ask if you are Zhang Yu, young master? Your subordinate Han Long has caused trouble in the western market. You must go and see for yourself!”

…

“Greetings, elder brother. Thank you for your rescue! My name is Zhi Qi, from the Greater Yue tribe. I beg you to accompany me to meet our leader!”

…

“Young master, earlier a messenger from the Cai family came, saying that the Left Middle Gentleman wishes to invite you to his residence for a talk. The carriage awaits nearby.”

The more Zhang Yu thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

“By claiming to pause the chain of schemes, he made me believe it and cease my suspicions. He sent someone disguised as a servant to find me, leading me to the western market, and exploited Han Long and the others’ chivalrous nature, dragging them into an unforeseen calamity to stall me once again.

At the same time, he mobilized Duan Ao and his troops, making them believe this was a genuine hunt for rebels. Without Jia Xu’s intervention, this would have surely escalated into chaos.

Next, he leveraged his connections with the Grand Herald to contact the Yue tribesmen, understanding their deep yearning for opportunity; now, encountering me, the one bearing the name of elder brother, they would not let this chance slip by.

Then he conversed with Cai Yong, praising me highly enough to convince Cai Yong to invite me, a stranger, to the banquet.

He calculated that after the banquet, it would be too late for me to return.

Had it not been for Uncle Cai’s accidental slip, I might have gone to the Grand Herald’s feast as well.

Every link intertwined, leading me step by step right into his trap.”

“Wang Yun!”

Quickly, Zhang Yu opened the system interface in his mind. Next to Wang Yun’s portrait, the intimacy score of “71” still flickered.

“I was wrong. From the very start, I was wrong.”

“He did not wish me harm. He only wanted to divert me. Because I obstructed him, he couldn’t use Sister Xiu’er’s scheme. He did not want me to interfere with his seduction plan.

But merely for this, he laid such a grand chessboard? If he expended such effort on me, how terrifying must the real chain of schemes be?”

Zhang Yu couldn’t unravel it all at once. When he turned back, his eyes met Xiahou Lan’s.

“Zi Ruo, didn’t you have more to say just now?”

“Yes. After Lü Bu left, things were quiet for a couple of days. I went to the Cai residence and learned that you were playing zither and chatting with Cai Zhonglang and the Cai family head, so I didn’t disturb you.

But today, preparations for a banquet at Wang Yun’s residence have begun again…”

After Lü Bu came Dong Zhuo.

“Zi Ruo! Hurry to that temple and find Jing Shu!” Zhang Yu almost pushed Xiahou Lan out of the carriage in his urgency. “Driver, we must go faster!”

The carriage galloped swiftly, racing toward the Situ mansion.

“I still don’t understand—why would he scheme against me like this?”

“Is there something I’ve overlooked?”

The rumbling and jolting of the wheels on the earth gradually merged with his thoughts.

***

At the Situ mansion, four maids attended to a beauty seated before her dressing table.

Looking into the bronze mirror, Diao Xiu’er’s gaze deepened.

She had never imagined herself so beautiful; this was the most magnificent moment of her life.

The prime of youth and the finest adornments—yet, alas, she could not meet the most beautiful person.

Thinking of this, her mind drifted back to the general who had come to the mansion two days prior.

He was Lü Bu, the adopted son of the villain Dong Zhuo, possessing the greatest martial prowess in the land.

Originally, she should have despised him—he was called a “slave to three surnames,” killing his foster father for treasure and a horse, then brazenly defecting to Dong Zhuo.

She was prepared to sacrifice herself to capture both him and the villain.

Yet, upon seeing him, Diao Xiu’er felt as if her heartstrings were involuntarily plucked.

A gentle jade-like younger brother, an invincible nobleman, a loving father… Wasn’t this the life she longed for? Even a single day of such would be enough.

“But he is clearly a villain. How can I think this way…”

She quickly shook her head, trying to banish the thought far away.

As she did, a gentle knock came at the door.

“Xiu’er, are you well?”

“Returning to my foster father, I am well.”

Wang Yun opened the door; upon seeing Diao Chan, even his cunning mind was momentarily stunned.

“Beautiful—Xiu’er is more beautiful than the other day… Alas, my Xiu’er!”

Wang Yun squinted, his lower eyelid twitching fiercely before tears welled up. Then he sighed deeply—

“Father promises you, once the bandit Dong is eliminated, no one connected to him, regardless of age or gender, even those who mourn him… will be spared!”

Those connected to him… including perhaps Lü Bu, who might help us eliminate him.

Such severity… was it too harsh?

A thought flashed through Diao Xiu’er’s mind, but she did not question it. Instead, remembering something, she asked:

“And what about Yulang?”